Former Facebook VP, Jonathan Heiliger, Joins North Bridge as General Partner

Former Facebook VP, Jonathan Heiliger, Joins North Bridge as General Partner

Will Focus on Helping Entrepreneurs with Vision for Solving Toughest Scaling Challenges

SAN MATEO, Calif. & WALTHAM, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--North Bridge Venture Partners, a leading multi-stage venture capital firm today announced that former Facebook vice president of technical operations, Jonathan Heiliger, has joined North Bridge as a general partner. Jonathan will be based in North Bridge’s Silicon Valley office, expanding the firm’s West Coast presence.
“Our goal at North Bridge has always been centered on working with entrepreneurs to build real companies that address large-scale, difficult technical problems. We are a team of entrepreneurs and operating executives who believe that real world experience drives scale and success in start-ups.”

In addition to working closely with the firm’s current portfolio, Jonathan will focus on identifying companies that are attempting to solve problems of significant scale and scope. Jonathan’s exceptional track record of building large-scale operations will be instrumental in helping the firm attract, identify and nurture investment opportunities that have the ambitious vision to attack large, disruptive business and technical problems.

“Jonathan joining our team is a major win for North Bridge and for our West Coast initiative. He’s been a successful entrepreneur and operating executive at companies such as Facebook, Walmart, Danger and Opsware, which provides insight and knowledge to help entrepreneurs scale businesses and technical operations. His proven track record as an operator and investor, coupled with his reputation and extensive network, will add tremendous value to companies working with North Bridge,” says Paul Santinelli, general partner at North Bridge. “Our goal at North Bridge has always been centered on working with entrepreneurs to build real companies that address large-scale, difficult technical problems. We are a team of entrepreneurs and operating executives who believe that real world experience drives scale and success in start-ups.”

In joining North Bridge, Jonathan is teaming with a group of proven entrepreneurs with a track record of building and scaling successful companies such as Demandware, Inc. (NYSE:DWRE), Proto Labs, Inc. (NYSE: PRLB), Starent Networks (acquired by Cisco) and Tapjoy. North Bridge has always been on the front lines with first institutional capital, where great ideas are hatched. Adding Heiliger to North Bridge solidifies the firm’s position as the place for founders to partner with a team of active entrepreneurs and operating executives who provide strategic counsel and the network they need to build industry-changing companies.

“North Bridge offers a unique value proposition to entrepreneurs. It is one of the few industry pioneering firms that has been consistently successful through every significant technology market evolution. The caliber of the team and its focus on working with entrepreneurs who want to build companies that create and/or redefine markets aligns perfectly with my values. I’m looking forward to helping grow North Bridge’s portfolio of successful companies in Silicon Valley and enhance the firm’s reputation as a leading venture capital firm,” said Jonathan Heiliger, general partner, North Bridge.

About Jonathan Heiliger

Prior to joining North Bridge, Jonathan Heiliger was the vice president of technical operations at Facebook from 2007 to 2011, where he oversaw global infrastructure, site architecture and internal systems as Facebook grew from 35 million users to more than 800 million. Prior to Facebook, he held executive positions at Walmart and Danger (acquired by Microsoft). Jonathan also spent several years at Loudcloud (which became Opsware and was later acquired by HP) as the chief operating officer. Earlier in his career, Jonathan co-founded and was the CTO of Frontier GlobalCenter and later founded Global Crossing’s corporate venture capital group.

Jonathan has been an active investor and advisor to exciting technology companies throughout the past 15 years. In 1999, he founded Global Crossing’s venture capital fund and managed the first fund to an IRR exceeding 4X. His portfolio encompasses more than 30 companies including Cotendo (acquired by Akamai), Last.fm (acquired by CBS), Sonus Networks, SpringTide (acquired by Lucent), Talaria, Tango and Qumranet (acquired by RedHat). He currently serves on the board of directors for DuPont Fabros, Inc. (NYSE:DFT) and Jive Software, Inc. (Nasdaq:JIVE) in addition to advising a select group of early-stage technology companies including Box.net, Cloudera, Redwood Systems and Square.

About North Bridge Venture Partners

Established in 1994, North Bridge Venture Partners is an active partner for early-stage entrepreneurs, providing seed-to-growth financing and company-building expertise. Working in concert with entrepreneurs, North Bridge adds value by providing strategic guidance, sharing operating experience, and an in-depth understanding of both private and public financings. Together with North Bridge Growth Equity, our mid-market focused growth capital fund, North Bridge manages over $3 billion in committed capital. The firm has offices in Boston, Massachusetts and San Mateo, California. To learn more about North Bridge go to www.northbridge.com.